The Boy across the Street

The sun rays penetrating through my window into my room woke me up.

I yawned.

What time is it?

I checked the alarm clock on my bedside drawer.

Crap!

I was almost an hour late for school. How is this even possible? I set my alarm yesterday, didn't I?

No you didn't, after watching Princess Switch, you were too tired to check it so you slept thinking you'll wake up on time.

That was my self-conscious reminding me of the stupid thing I did last night.

Kayra,get up! Hurry up, you're late enough already.

That was my self-conscious again after realizing I was still sitting on my bed.

I dashed into the washroom as fast as I could. I threw my clothes on and didn't bother fixing my hair. I quickly put on my shoes and grabbed my backpack.

But wait, why didn't my parents wake me up?

Now's not the time Kay, you're late.

I didn't have time for breakfast, so I just grabbed an apple. In the kitchen, there was a note from my dad. He said he had an important meeting at the office so he left earlier than usual, that was why he didn't check on me.

Well, darn it.

As I was driving, I was thinking of a way to sneak into class until I finally got an idea.

Oh God, I hope this works

*******

"Steph, please respond", I prayed as I texted her.

Steph: Kayra, what the heck? I'm in class, why are you texting me? And where the hell are you? Mr. Khan started 20 minutes ago.

She texted back almost immediately.

Me: Steph, I need you to help me. Please.

Steph: Oh Kayra. What now?

Me: I'm in the hallway. I need to get to class without Mr. Khan noticing me.

Steph: And how do you think you will be able to do that?

Me: You're seated in front, right?

Steph: Yes...

Me: And you've saved me a seat, right?

Steph: Yes, what's your plan?

Me: Tell Mr. Khan you want to show him something on the skeleton, then take him to the back of the class, so I can sneak in.

Steph: You know this isn't going to work

Me: It will. Please help me, Steph.

Steph: You owe me big time for this.

Me: Thanks Steph

I was peeping through the classroom door, waiting for the right time to sneak in. Stephanie had taken Mr. Khan to the back of the room like I said, and was keenly listening to her question. Most of the students had turned to the back as well, but I signalled those who saw me to keep quiet.

Oh, God, help me

As I tiptoed to the seat I presumed Steph reserved for me, I crossed my fingers and tried to be as quiet as a mouse.

Just then, someone cleared her throat. I forgot one detail: Audrey was in this class!

Mr. Khan turned. “Who was that?” He asked and saw me standing in the front of the class with my backpack like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Well, well, who do we have here?” He asked no one in particular, his Indian accent clear.

“Were you trying to sneak into my class?" He asked calmly, but everyone who knew him would know that that was just the calm before the storm.

“Cat got your tongue?” I hadn't said a single word since he started 'interrogating' me.

“Since you cannot justify yourself, how would you like to work in the library after school today. Then you will not be late to my class again.”

I looked at Steph who was still standing next to him, and she shot me an apologetic look.

I don't even know why I did, but I glanced at Audrey, and she was smirking triumphantly.

That witch!

“Now everyone, get seated. Miss Cole, have you understood my explanation?”

“Err yes sir”, she answered before sitting on the desk next to me.

She nudged me and mouthed a sorry.

“It's fine," I whispered back and smiled.

*****Lunchtime******

“So Kayra, why were you even late this morning?” Steph asked.

“Well”, I swallowed my food, "I forgot to set my alarm last night”

“You're kidding”

“No, it's true.”

“Kayra, so when will you grow up?”

“It wasn't my fault”

"Of course, it never is.”

“But thanks for helping me Steph, I owe you one.”

“Oh you owe me more than just one.”

“That's why you're the best bestie ever.”

“Oh please.”

I giggled.

I was throwing my leftovers in the bin when I saw Audrey and her clique approaching.

“Have fun at the library ”, she teased and passed. I felt like pulling off her fake lashes.

“Ignore her. Come on, let's get to class.”

Thank God for Stephanie.

********

“Okay I'll talk to you later Kay”

“I'll call you when I'm done.”

“Cool.”

“Ok Kayra, have fun.” She teased and I glared at her.

“What? I was just kidding.”

When I got to the library, I stared at the building from top to down. I can't believe I've never been here before. Libraries aren't really my thing

“Here we go”, I breathed in and out and entered. The librarian was behind her desk. I greeted her and told her who sent me there and why.

Mr. Khan must have told her already that I'll be coming because she was expecting me.

“You'll be cleaning the books with the cloth I gave you and placing them on their right shelves. I'm sure you already know that all books have to be arranged in alphabetical order. Oh, and you'll have to wipe the dust off the shelves too…" Mrs. Anderson, the librarian was telling me what I was actually supposed to do.

“Any questions?”

“Um, will I have to rearrange every single book here?”

She just smiled, and I think I got my answer.

I've heard working here is really exhausting. I never thought I'd actually experience it for myself one day.

Oh well, if I wanted to finish within the shortest possible time, I would have to get to work and stop staring at the dusty, dusty shelves.

Gosh, they looked like they hadn't been cleaned in years. How on earth do people study here without catching a cold? Speaking of colds, I'm pretty sure I'll be down with one after playing Cinderella for an hour or two.

I noticed the “A” column of books started from behind. There has got to be at least a hundred shelves here, not to talk about the books scattered on the tables. Mr. Khan wants me to clean and rearrange all this? He has got to be kidding me.

I sighed and tied my handkerchief around my nose before beginning my 'punishment'.

***

I got to the “J” column which was in front, close to the entrance and the librarian's desk when I saw someone talking to her or should I say, giving something to her.

Hold on, I think I know who that is. I looked closer and confirmed my suspicion. What would Jason Bradshaw be giving to Mrs. Anderson? Or does he know her?

Kayra,that's none of your business, I reprimanded myself and continued dusting shelves like it was no one's business.

Of course it wasn't, you were the only one punished for coming to class late.

Okay the voice in my head should shut up now.

I didn't notice someone speaking to me since I was shutting the voice in my head up.

“Excuse me”, I finally looked up.

Oh my God, what is he doing here?

“Can I have the book?”, he pointed at the book that was in my hand, about to be placed vertically on its rightful shelf.

I looked down and saw it was a novel, “Jack of Shadows” by Roger Zelazny

“Um….su-sure"

He took it and turned without even a thank you. Forget about his lack of manners, Jayson Bradshaw just spoke to me!

And boy is he hot!!

He had blue eyes and a firm jawline. It pronounced the contours and edges of his oh so masculine face. His chin was clean-shaven; smooth and stubless. I resisted the urge to feel his black hair which looked undoubtedly soft. He spoke in a low tone which made his voice almost sexy.

I was still staring at his retreating back when a beep from my phone shot me out of my daze.

It was a text from Stephanie.

Steph: Aren't you done yet?

Me: Halfway

Steph: Well, hurry up!

Me: You know, you can just come over and lie that you were punished too and help me.

Steph: Are you crazy? You almost got me in trouble for texting in class, and you want me to lie to the librarian?

Me: It's fine, I'll just finish up myself.

Steph: That's more like it! And I'll treat you to ice cream later.

Me: Sounds good. Alright, ttyl.

Steph: Sure

I finished within an hour and gave the rag back to Mrs. Anderson, the librarian. It was so dirty, you could barely recognize it as the one she handed to me three hours ago.

I threw my handkerchief which also looked like the rag in the dustbin, washed my hands and said goodbye to the place they called 'the epitome of wisdom.'

"Kayra, you're never ever coming back to this place again", I more or less swore to myself before making my way to the parking lot while twirling my keys on my right index finger, my baby was waiting for me there.